Process and apparatus for forming tobacco bunches



P. PETERSON Sept. 23, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TOBACCO BUNCHES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1946 Now @M w& 0 0 mxoooooo, o o o o INVENTOR -PONTUS PETERSON ATTORNEY P. PETERSON Sep!:. 23, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TOBAQCO BUNCHES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1946 INVENTOR PONTUS PETERSON BY ATTORNEY P. PETERSON Sept. 23, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TOBACCO BUNCHES Filed June 20, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PONTUS' PETERSON ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 23, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TOBACCO BUNCHES 'Pontus Peterson, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a

corporationof New Jersey Application June 20, 1946, Serial'No. 678,072

:18 Claims. (Cl. 131- 39) This invention relates to the manufacture of -cigars, more particularly to-an improyedmachine and methodtfor making blended cigar bunches.

A number of cigar manufacturers blend their main filled tobacco, which may be'Porto Rican, Pennsylvania, or other suitable fiiller tobacco,

with Havana filler tobacco or some other suitable blending tobacco.

Hitherto, the blending tobaccohas-beenmanually laid in amore or less continuous stripe "on topof the stream of filler *tobacco in the 'filler feed channel of the cross .feed of "a cigar machine, of thetype disclosed in S. "Patent No. 1,740,571 to Wilhelm B. :Bro-

' nander in which severed .lengths cut from the astreamin the c'ro'ssifee'd 'are assembled side by "-side "for charge cutting. Considerable trouble .in. getting a uniformblend was caused by lack of uniformity inthe manual feeding.

1 have discovered that uncertainties can be eliminated and a substantially uniform blend obtained in :-a simple and efficient manner with a cigar machine of the type disclosed in Wheeler Pa-tent'No 2,311}0ll,0r U. S. Patent 2,470,766 to Durning, bypartitioning-the cross feed longitudi- -nally'andla'y-in'g blend tobacco on one side of the partition and the body tobacco on the other side. By adjusti ng the position of the partition, exactlathe-desiredproportion may be obtained and the amount.oiblendingtobac'co accurately measured. In amachine of thistype with'apartitioned "cross reed,- charge's "'c'utfrom the forward end of the-cross feed are assembled one on top of the other so-tha't a column is form ed which in 'hqri- "zontal cross section contains -a substantially unifor-m proportion of blend and body 'to'bacco at any positionalong its height. Charges cut from this column will, therefore, produce a uniformly blended bunch. "This chargehas'th'e further advantage that the blend may be'located at'any-desired position with respect to the remainder of the charge and "with 'respect't'othe completed bunch.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide a cigar'machine wherein properly -blendedcigarbuncheswill be cbtainedfrom filler tobacco "blended in the filler feed of the cigar machine. v k V A'further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of forming blended cigar bunches. V

1 Another object of the invention isto provide a cigar. machine with a cross-feed wherein two dif- "f'eren't types 'o'ffiller tobacco may be blended into acomposite stre'am or layer from which filler sections may be separated for the formation of a blended 'cig'ar' bunch.

.2 l Another object of the inventionfis to-providea cross-feed construction having a-filler feed channel provided with compartments in which the [filler tobacco may be properly blended and fed.

Still anotherobjectis to provide an upwardly ilaredconstructionof the compartments of the filler feeding channel permitting the manual insertion of I the filler tobacco. For this purpose thesidebelts of the filler feedchannel may have outwardly inclined portions. The side belts of the filler feed channel also have portions which converge toward each other while advancing the separatestreamsof the filler 'tobaccoalong the compartments. Thusthe tobacco. will be redistributed to obtain a more uniform thickness thereof.

When the streams of filler tobacco are advanced beyond the partition, they will then merge with. one another to form a composite stream of blended filler tobacco from which bunch lengths .are separated. These bunch lengths will .be assembled to form .a column :of

tobacco from which bunches are separated .for the formation of cigar bunches.

With --these and other objects "not specifically mentioned in View, the invention consistsingcer- .tain constructions and methods which will be hereinafter fully described and 'set forth in the appended claims.

'In the accompanying drawings which form a part of thisspecification: Fig. 11s a plan viewtaken from line l'-'| of 2 -of a cigar bunch making machineequipped-zwlth a cross-feed blending device ,embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the-same taken: along :line 2-2 of ,Fig. 1;

:Fig. 3is'arcross-ssection of the =fillerj'feed channel, taken-ion liner3 3 ofFig. lyshowingthe in- ;clined portions or the side feed belts thereof;

Fig. 4 Iis;.a similar crossesection .of 5a modified .cros's-feedxchannel having a portion of' one side feedxbelt -outwardly inclinedand the other "side 'feedbelt' in a vertical plane;

Fig. 5 lea-sectional end elevation showing the filler-column inthe measuring chamber, cutting of ;a' bunch charge from the bottom of the-tobacco column in the measuring chamber and theqtransfer of the bunch charge on to the rolling-apron of the cigar bunch making machine;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view of the rider-plate in its operative position wherein itholdsdown the bunch charge uponthe rolling. apron while the charge isfbe'i'ng coiled uponitselfw; and

7 is a sectional view of ajblendedcigar bunch obtained with my cross-feed blendingdeto insert blending tobacco into the narrow width of vice, showing the blending tobacco in the center of the bunch.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it ,will be seen that the filler feeding channel of the cross-feed is provided with a longitudinal partition I0 serving to divide the channel into two compartments into which two different types of filler tobacco may be manually inserted to form two streams of filler tobacco. The feeding channel is formedby a horizontal feed belt I2 and spaced side belts I4 and I6 which are mdunted on ,pulleys or rollers intermittently driven by suitable means jfiot shown) such as illustrated in Wheeler Patent No. 2,311,011, or the c'opending application of J. P. Durning, S. No. 522,701, filed February 17, 1944. The belt I2 runs over a pulley I8 mounted on a, shaft 28 supported in a bracket 22 of the machine and over a pulley 24 also supported by the machine. The side belts I4 and I6 are driven by the rollers 26 and- 28, respectively. Rollers 26 and 28 are mounted on vertical shafts 30 and 32, respectively. Belts I4 and I6 also run over idler rollers 34 and 36. respectively, mounted on vertical studs 38 and 40 extending upwardly from bracket 22. Shafts 30 and 32 and the shaft of pulley 24 are intermittently driven from mechanism such as shown in the above mentioned Wheeler patent or Durning into the filler feeding channel at each side of the partition I8. Said partition permits the operator to place a quantity of the main leaf tobacco into the larger compartment 46 and blending tobacco such as Havana long filler leaf tobacco into the smaller compartment 48. In this manner layers or streams of filler tobacco H and R. are formed in the compartments of the filler feed channel.

Both of the inner runs of the belts I4 and I6 should have outwardly inclined portions opposite the partition II) when narrow filler feed channel of approximately 1%" width is used to provide upwardly flared compartments into which the filler tobacco is inserted. If a filler feed channel of a standard width of approximately 2%" is used only the vertical run engaging the stream of blending tobacco needs to be outwardly inclined. It will be recalled that the width of the compartment into which the blending tobacco is inserted may be only a minor fractionof the width of the filler feed channel, because the proportion of the blending tobacco may vary from Therefore it would be diflicult to this compartment on either a standard or narrow filler feed channel unless the adjoining section of the side belt is outwardly inclined. This is particularly true when the width of the blending compartment may be only 10% of the width of the filler feed channel. However with a standard width filler feed channel only the vertical run engaging the blending tobacco needs to be outwardly inclined.

One end of the partition I8 is carried by a block 58 adjustably mounted on a stud 52 which is supported between guide brackets 54 and secured in place by screws 56. The block 58 is retained in position on stud 52 by a clamp screw 58. The

opposite end of partition I8 is connected to a block 68 adjustably secured to a plate 62 having horizontally extending ears 64 which are suitably attached to a supporting plate 66 fastened to the bracket 22. The plate 66 has an opening through which the belt I2 extends and a portion which underlies the upper run or loop of the belt I2, thus supporting the upper run of said belt. The block 60 is secured in position by a screw 68 passing through an elongated slot I0 provided in the plate 62. Upon loosening screws 58 and 68 the partition I8 may be moved laterally to alter the size of compartments 46 and 48 and thus change theproportions' of the filler tobacco being blended in the filler feed channel.

The member I0 may also be adjusted vertically to alter the space between the belt I2 and the bottom edge of partition III. This adjustment is provided to permit the bottom portion of the filler tobacco inserted into compartments 46 and 48 to intermingle to form a solid stream. If the streams of tobacco were not permitted to intermingle under the partition I0 they would not be properly fed, because the friction of the belts I4 and I 6 on the outer sides of the streams might not be sufficient to overcome the friction of the partition III on the inner sides of the streams. To permit vertical adjustment for obtaining the proper spacing thereof from belt I2, member ID is provided with a vertically extending car 12 having an elongated slot 14 in which engages a clamp screw 16. The opposite end of partition I8 has a similar vertically extending ear "I8 which is provided with an elongated slot engaged by a clamp screw 82. The blocks 50 and 60 have open end slots 84 and 86 respectively, adapted to receive the ends of member I0 and permit the same to be vertically adjusted upon loosening screws I6 and 82.

The portions 42 and 44 of both side feed belts may be maintained in outwardly inclined positions by members 88 mounted on the table 66 (Figs. 3 and 4). Members 88 span the space between the rollers of each side belt and are provided on their inner faces with inclined portions which maintain portions of the inner runs of each belt I4 and I6 in inclined positions. The side belts I4 and I 6 are also guided by lips 98 and 92 depending from their respective guard shells 94 and 96 which are secured to members 88 and cover the top and outer runs ofbelts I4 and I6. When the belts I2, I4 and I6 are intermittently advanced the streams of tobacco H and R. are compressed against partition III as they encounter the converging portions 98 and I00 of the-side belts whereby the tobacco in streams H and R will be redistributed to obtain a more uniform thickness thereof.

At the lower end of a vertically slidable member I82 is fastened a horizontal compressor foot I84 extending along the delivery end of the filler feeding channel. To foot I04 is secured a vertical guide stud I06 slidably mounted in a hub I08 of a standard IIU which forms part of the cigar machine. The compressor foot I84 supports a hinged extension plate II2 which is connected by a link I I 4 to a pressure arm I I6 pivoted to a stud II8 supported by suitable lugs I20 projecting from standard IIII. Plate II 2 is actuated and controlledby a member I22 whose lower end is pivoted to a bracket I24 secured to compressor foot I04. The upper portion of member I22 protrudes through the pressure arm H6 and has threaded thereon a washer I26 engagin th bottom of arm II6. Member I 22 is also provided with a nose top washer 128 which is held i confiatwith arm M6 by a tension spring I3'0wh'o'se pressure is readily adjustable bya pair'of lock huts I32 threaded on member I22. Since the mechanism for Vertically reciprocating the memher I02 is fully disclosed in the above mentioned Burning app cation, further description thereof iseeemed unnecessary. I r

v The compressor foot I04 and its extensionplate I I2 serve to ee-Impres the tobacco streams H and B; after they are" advanced out of compartments 4'6 and 48 and thereby commingle the 'sameto forrn a composite or blended stream. of 'filleli to- 1556260 F. When the corrugated cutter I34 is moved downward by a slide I 36 actuated by mechanism described in the above mentioned burning application, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, compressor foot I04 also moves downward and the composite tobacco stream F formed underneath said compressor root and its H hingedext'ension is firmly held in position during the cutting of a bunch length by corrugated cutter I34. The compressor foot and its enterision" plate II2 are at least twice as long as the length of the filler section severed from the composite filler stream F so that when the; leading end of the filler stream F is advanced into the extension Channel formed by side guides I38 to be cut off by the cutter I34 it will be com pressed twice. Therefore the fiat and even layers'of tobacco in the leading endofthe filler stream F are not likely to be disturbed when moved on to a charge supporting plate I40 which forms the bottom of the extension channel. The

cutting of the bunch length section from the filler stream F is effected by the coaction of corruga'ted cutter I34 with a stationary ledger plate I42 forming a bridge between the horizontal feed belt I2 and the horizontal charge supporting plate I40. Ledger plate I42 is mounted on a bridge bracket I44 attached to the end of a cross- {feed supporting member I46 whose construction is fully described in the above mentioned Durning application. In order to assure that all filler tobacco placed by the operator into the filler feeding channel is properly guided underneath the compressor foot I 04 and its hinged extension -II2, a pair of guide brackets 54, which are secured to the top of guard shells 94 and 96, form together with said hinged extension II2 when the latter is in its upper position a funnel which s'rnoothly directs any projecting piece of the advancing tobacco stream underneath the compresshr foot I04 without causing obstructions o "clogging;

end wall I52 correspond with the corrugations of the cutter plate I42 and serve to maintain alignnient of the superimposed ends of the bunch lengths and prevent their disturbance while being deposited into measuring chamber The charge supporting plate I40 is slidably supported in a space provided between the top of the -.nieasuring chamber and the 'gui de plates -4I'38 andalso the ledger plate "I421 The horiid'n'tal cha g supporting platen intermittent 1y reciprocated by means of an arm" I 62 which, through a link I64is connected to a lug I66 attachedto the plate 140. A stationary guide we I68 held by a suitable hub on side Wall I59 of measuring chamber projects from the same and slidably engages with a suitable hole in the lower portion of lug I86; thus guiding there'- cip''rocat'ing charge supporting plate I40; The sun I62 suitably actuated by" m ans-whet shown) corresponding to mechanism disclosed-in -the above mentioned application of J. P. Durhi-ng.

"Underneath t e measuring chamber Mjs'located slidably mounted charge transfer (Figs. 1, "2 and '5) provided with two sidewalls I10 one end wall I12. Theother end Wall isfo d by a lug" I14 to which side walls I10 are fastened. The lug I 14 projects from a sleeve I16 slidably supported by a horizontal shaft I18 held by the --hrec1 'et I58. "At the other end or the charge transfer T the wall I12 is guided and supported in the same manner disclosed in the above mentioned application of J. -P.- ar-hing. The lower portion of sleeve -I 16 (Fig. "2) is equipped with a lug I8 0 havinga stiid I82 seeporting one end of a link I84 I (Fig. 2) connected to 's'ut'abl'e actuating means shown the above merit-whee Burning application Opera-ting in synchronis'm with the corrugated cutter I34 isa-iheasuhhg plunger I86 which trails slightly behind said cutter until thelatter has severed the bunhleiigth C from the filler st F '(Fig. '2). The cutter then stops and remains stationary while the measuring plunger continues descending to compress the severedbunch length on to the tobacco column D whichconsutures accumulation of Severn bunch lengths. When the corrugated cutter I34 and measuring plunger I86 'sta-rt descending a measuring platform I83 which closes the bottbm openingof the charge transfer T (Figs. 2 and 5) ascends into the charge transfer and moves the tobacco column D which rests on the platform I88 slightly upward. As mentioned heretofore, the charge c cut from the filler stream F erops on top of said column D with the plunger I86 following said charge. When the measuring plunger engages said tobacco column, the measuring platform I88 is in its uppermost position and inside of the charge transfer. The measuring plunger I86 continues its downward movement for a short distance to eifec'tcoinpression of the tobacco column Din measuring chainber M and the charge transfer T.

After the measuring plunger has come-to rest with the compacted column D betweenthe plunger I86 and the measuring platform I88, "a

Straight knife bicutting plate I90 horizontally enters the space I92 (Fig. 5) provided between the bottom of the measuring chamber'andthe top of the "charge transfer and thereby separates a bunch charge B from the compacted tobacco column 1). The height or thickness of the charge is determined by the distance-or space between the me suring platform I88 and the knife I 90. Therefore, the setting of this distance is made to correspond with the desired thickness of the charge. After cutting of said charge B from the tobacco c'olumnD the measuring platform I88 descends and stops in a position which-is below the bottom of the charge transfer T and aligned with astationary bridge plate I94. The charge B is then moved by said t ra'nsfer in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5, over the stationary bridge plate I94 and over a rider plate I96 on to the rolling apron I98 of the bunch rolling mechanism of the cigar machine.

The construction of the bunch rolling mechanism is similar to that shown in the above mentioned Durning application and the co-pending application of R. E. Rundell, S. N. 589,514 filed April 21, 1945, although the type of bunch rolling mechanism shown in the Wheeler Patent 2,311,011 may be used. Charge B is ejected from the charge transfer T by an ejector 200 (Figs. 1 and which together with a platform 202 supporting apron I98, guides said charge out of the charge transfer T and lowers the same upon apron I98 to a position in line with the rolling table 204 of the bunch rolling mechanism of the machine. Since the construction of the bridge plate I94, apron I98, ejector 200, and platform 202 is fully described in the said Durning and Rundell applications, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. A loop or pocket former 206 connected to and movable with the ejecting plunger 200 is employed for the purpose of positioning and laying the apron fiat and even over the platform 202 when reaching its lowermost position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. The ejecting plunger 200 and loop former 206 then ascend again and rolling pin 208 advances in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6) and rolls the charge to form a cigar bunch in a manner hereinafter described. As soon as plunger 200 and loop former 206 have reached their uppermost position the charge transfer T moves back to its original position in alignment with measuring chamber M, whereupon the knife I90 withdraws and the remaining portion of the tobacco column in measuring chamber M drops into the charge transfer. While the charge transfer T was moving charge B on to the rolling apron I88, the charge supporting plate I40 moved in again, covering the measuring chamber M ready to support the advancing end of the tobacco filler stream F from which another bunch length is to be out. After withdrawal of plate I40 this bunch length is also deposited on to the top of the tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M and transfer T.

The free end of the compressor foot I04 is provided with corrugations 2I0 which interengage corrugations of the cutter I34 and thereby assure that the filler stream F will be compressed and held down adjacent cutter I34. The corrugations 2I0 of foot I04 also act as a scraper for any particles of tobacco which might cling to the ascending cutter I34. One end of the measuring plunger I86 is also provided with corrugations which correspond to the corrugations of cutter I34 and fit into the contour of the corrugated end wall I52 of measuring chamber M, thus providing means for a firm lateral compaction, not only of the center portion of the tobacco column D but of its corrugated ends as well.. The measuring plunger is attached to the lower end of a vertical shaft 2I2 (Figs. 2 and 5) slidably supported by means of a bearing bracket 2I4 attached to standard H0. The upper end of shaft 2I2 is supported in the same manner as disclosed in the Durning application previously mentioned and operated by mechanism described therein so a detailed description is believed unnecessary. To prevent turning of the measuring plunger I86, the latter is provided with a vertical guide rod 2I6 projecting from said lunger and engaging with a guide sleeve 2I8 extending from bracket 2 I4. I

The measuring platform I88, which controls the thickness of the charge B cut by the horizontal knife I from the bottom of the tobacco column, is mounted on a vertical shaft 220 slidably supported in a bearing bracket 222 which is attached to a bracket of the machine, not shown. The downward movement of the measuring platform I88 is arrested by a pair of stop screws 224 contacting the lower side of said measuring platform and assuring a correct alignment of the same with the stationary bridge plate I94. Stop screws 224 are carried by a pair of lugs 226 projecting from bracket 222. A complete description of the mechanism for operating platform I88 will be found in the above mentioned Durning application.

The straight knife I90, which cuts the charge B from the tobacco column D, is adjustably mounted on a horizontal slide 228 supported and guided by a dove tailed channel 230 in the upper portion of the slide supporting bracket I60. The operation of the slide 228 and the knife I90 is accomplished by'mechanism described in the Durning application previously mentioned. Therefore a detailed description of the same is omitted in the interest of brevity.

When the charge transfer is returned to its position underneath the measuring chamber after delivering the blended charge B on the rolling apron I98, rider plate I96 is turned to engage the top of the charge B. For this purpose plate I96 is mounted on a pair of lugs 860 secured to a shaft 862 mounted in bearings in the arms of a horizontally reciprocable U- shaped bracket 864. Since the parts 860, 862 and 864 correspond to similarly numbered parts in the above-mentioned Rundell application,

further description thereof is deemed urmecessary. The rolling pin 208, which is mounted on shaft 862, is then moved in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6) and starts to coil the charge upon itself. The shaft 862 is turned to lay the plate I96 against the top of the charge by mechanism similar to that described in said Rundell application. The bracket 864 in being advanced also advances the rolling pin 208 and rider plate I96, and the flat charge B is rolled up from its rear edge at which the blending tobacco is located, somewhat as a carpet is rolled up. As the coiled bunch continues-moving over the surface of the rolling apron it is rolled up in a binder W which has been placed previously on the apron. When the binder W is wound about said charge there is formed a cigar bunch N such as shown in Fig. 7. The Havana filler or other blending tobacco H placed in the compartment 48 of the cross-feed channel, when arriving on the rolling apron I98, is at the rear edge of the charge; and therefore, when said charge is rolled, it will be placed in the center of the cigar bunch N. The finished bunch therefore will consist of a core H of Havana filler or other blending tobacco surrounded by the body filler tobacco R as shown in Fig. 7.

A modified form of the cross-feed channel is shown in Fig. 4, in which the inner run of the side belt I4 of the narrow blending compartment has aportion arranged in an inclined plane to permit insertion of the Havana or other blending filler tobacco'H. The larger compartment has the entire inner run of its side belt I6 in a vertical plane. This construction can be used for the latter compartment with a standard .width or wider filler feed channel, since there will then be enough room for the operator ,9. to place the regular or body filler tobacco E into this compartment. The guard shell 95 which encloses the top and outer run of the belt I6 is made in the conventional manner, and the guard shell 94 is similar to the guard shell 94 shown in Fig. 3.

If desired the partition I0 may be omitted and the body and blending tobacco manually positioned along the inclined portions 42 and 44 of the side feed belts to form a composite stream of fillertobacco. However a less uniform distribution of the blending tobacco in the bunch charges will be obtained in this manner.

While the blending tobacco is preferably located along the longitudinal edge of the bunch charge from which its coiling is begun, to locate it in the interior of the coiled bunch charge, it may be located at any desired position in the cigar bunch by positioning the blending tobacco at various locations along the width of the bunch charge. For example, the blending tobacco may be at the exterior edge of the coiled bunch charge. To produce the latter type of bunch charge the positions of the blending and body filler tobacco compartments of the filler feed channel may be reversed to thereby locate the blending tobacco at the exterior longitudinal edge of the coiled bunch charge. Although I have described my invention in detail and therefore utilized certain specific terms and language herein, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative, rather than restrictive, and that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1..The combination with mechanism for forwarding a. plurality of substantially horizontal streams of different types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically separated channels having a common movable bottom, of means for severing lengths of tobacco from the leading ends of said streams and assembling them to form a composite column having one type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along one side of the column and another type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along the other side of the column, and means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide tween said partition and said side belts to form a plurality of continuous streams of different types of tobacco which will be commingled in the portion of said channel beyond said partition, and devices for severing bunch length portions from the composite stream formed by commingling the streams of different tobacco positioned in said channel between said partition and each of said side belts and assembling a plurality of severed bunch length portions to form a composite column from said different tobaccos wherein a plurality of sub-columns each formed of diiferent tobacco extend from one end to the other end of said composite column, and a device for separating a bunch charge from one end of said column.

3. In a cigar machine, the combination with a filler feed adapted to advance a continuous stream of long filler body tobacco and a continuous stream of long filler blendingtobacco, whose breadth is less than the breadth of the stream of body tobacco, and commingle said streams to form a composite stream of fillertobacco with the blending tobacco extending along one edge of said composite stream, a conveyor having a horizontal movable bottom with a partition to define channels in which both of said streams move with their inner lateral edges adjacent each other to be commingled with each other, and said conveyor being adapted to advance said composite stream, of mechanism for separating bunch length from the composite stream in side by side relationship, means for assembling the separated bunch lengths to form a column of tobacco having sections of body tobacco and blending tobacco extending from one end thereof to the other end thereof, and a device for separating a bunch charge from one end of said column containing long filler and blending tobacco.

4. A cigar machine filler feed comprisingan endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs extend-L ing along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, a, stationary partition extending along a portion of said filler feed channel to provide a pair of compartments wherein one type of filler tobacco and a blending tobaco may be respectively inserted to form separate continuous streams of filler tobacco on said horizontal run, members arranged to defiect into converging relationship the portions of said operating runs adjacent the ends of said compartments from which said streams emerge to produce a more uniform distribution of the tobacco in said streams before they are commingled in said channel to form a, composite stream, and a compaotor for compressing said streams vertically after they emergev from said compartments to commingle the same into a composite stream.

5. A cigar machine filler feed comprising an endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs extending along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, a thin partition having substantially vertical sides and extending along a portion of said filler feed channel intermediate said operating runs to provide a pair of compartments wherein one type of filler tobacco and a blending tobacco may be respectively inserted to form separate continuous streams of filler tobacco on said horizontal run, the lower edge of said partition being sufiiciently spaced from said horizontal run to permit said streams to merge with one another underneath said partition while being advanced on said horizontal run.

6. A cigar machine filler feed comprising an endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs with portions in inclined planes extending along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, a partition extending along a portion of said filler feed channel to provide a pair of compartments wherein one type of filler tobacco and a blending tobacco may be respectively inserted to form separate continuous streams of 11 filler tobacco on said horizontal run, and members having inclined faces adapted to engage and maintain said portions of said operating runs opposite said partition in outwardly inclined positions to facilitate the insertion of filler tobacco into said compartments.

'7.'A cigar machine filler feed comprising an endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs, a portion of which is in an inclined plane, extending along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, a partition extending along a portion of said filler feed channel to provide a pair of compartments wherein one type of filler tobacco and a blending tobacco may be respectively inserted to form separate continuous streams of filler tobacco on said horizontal run, and a member having an inclined face adapted to engage and maintain said portion of one of said operating runs, which is opposite said partition, in an outwardly inclined position to facilitate the insertion of filler tobacco into the adjoining compartment.

8. A process of making cigar bunch charges comprising forming and feeding a continuous stream of long filler tobacco, forming and feeding a narrower continuous stream of blending filler tobacco along one longitudinal edge of the broader filler tobacco stream to merge said streams in a composite filler tobacco stream wherein the blending tobacco extends along one longitudinal edge of the composite stream, separating bunch lengths from said composite stream and assembling the separated bunch lengths to form a column of tobacco, and separating from said column bunch charges containing long filler tobacco and blending tobacco.

9. A process of making cigar bunch charges comprising forming and feeding a continuous stream of body filler tobacco, forming and feeding a continuous stream of blending tobacco, whose breadth is less than the breadth of said stream of body tobacco, along one side of the filler tobacco stream to merge said streams in a composite filler tobacco stream wherein blending tobacco extends along one side of the composite stream, separating bunch lengths from said composite stream and assembling the separated bunch lengths one on top of the other to form a column of tobacco having an uninterrupted sub-column of blend tobacco extending from top to bottom of said column, and separating along a horizontal plane transverse to said sub-column, composite bunch charges containing body filler tobacco and blendin tobacco.

10. A cigar machine filler feed comprising an endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs extending along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, members arranged to deflect portions of said operating runs into positions inclined to the vertical and then into converging relationship whereby body filler tobacco and blending tobacco manually placed upon said horizontal run along said inclined-belt portions respectively to form separate continuous streams of body and blending tobacco will be commingled to form a composite stream of filler tobacco, means for separating bunch lengths from said composite stream whereby each separated bunch will have a section of blending tobacco extending through the entire depth thereof along one lateral edge thereof, a device for superimposing the bunch lengths to form a vertical column of tobacco wherein the blending tobacco forms an uninterrupted sub-column extending from the upper to the lower end of said column, and mechanism for separating along a horizontal plane transverse to said column composite bunch charges containing body filler tobacco and blendin tobacco.

11. In a cross feed for cigar bunch machines, the combination with a horizontal bottom belt, and opposed side belts arranged to form'a traveling channel for forwarding filler tobacco through one end of said channel, of a longitudinal partition running lengthwise of the section of said channel adjoining the other end thereof, said opposed side belts having the sections of their operating runs adjoining the delivery end of said channel in upright planes and the sections thereof adjacent said partition in planes inclined upwardly and outwardly to provide an upwardly flared channel section between said in clined belt sections and said partition.

12. A cigar machine filler feed comprising an endless traveling belt having a horizontal run adapted to support filler tobacco, a pair of endless traveling belts having operating runs extending along the edges of said horizontal run and defining a filler feed channel, a thin partition having a substantially uniform thickness and extending along a portion of said filler feed channel intermediate said operating runs to provide a pair of compartments wherein one type of filler tobacco and a blending tobacco may be respectively inserted to form separate continuous streams of filler tobacco on said horizontal run, the lower edge of said partition being sufficiently spaced from said horizontal run to permit said streams to merge with one another underneath said partition while being advanced on said horizontal run, and means for adiustably mounting said partition for movement toward and away from said horizontal run.

13. A process of making cigar bunches comprising forming and feeding a relatively broad stream of filler tobacco, forming and feeding a narrower continuous stream of blending filler tobacco along one longitudinal edge of the broader filler tobacco stream to merge said streams in a composite filler tobacco stream wherein the blending tobacco extends along one longitudinal edge of the composite stream, separating bunch lengths from said composite stream and superimposing the bunch lengths to form a vertical tobacco column, compacting said column and separating from one end thereof a bunch charge having the blending tobacco extending along one longitudinal edge thereof, coiling the bunch charge upon itself with the blending tobacco located inside the coiled bunch charge, and wrapping the coiled bunch charge within a wrapper to form a cigar bunch.

14. The combination with mechanism for forwarding a plurality of substantially horizontal streams of different types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically separated channels having a common movable bottom, said channels including superposed laterally spaced sides independent of the bottom, of means for severing lengths of tobacco from the leading ends of said streams and assemblingumn, and means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide a bunch charge containin measured amounts of each of said tobaccos.

15. The combination with mechanism for forwarding a plurality of substantially horizontal streams of different types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically separated channels having a common movable bottom, said channels including superposed laterally spaced inclined sides independent of the bottom, of means for severing lengths of tobacco from the leading ends of said streams and assembling them to form a composite column having one type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along one side of the column and another type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along the other side of the column, and means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide a bunch charge containin measured amounts of each of said tobaccos.

16. The combination with mechanism for forwarding a plurality of substantially horizontal streams of different types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically separated channels having a common movable bottom, said channels including superposed laterally spaced sides independent of the bottom, of means for severing lengths of tobacco from the leading ends of said streams and assembling them to form a composite column having one type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along one side of the column and another type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along the other side of the column, means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide a bunch charge containing measured amounts of each oi said tobaccos, and means closely adjacent the separating means for coiling the bunch charge upon itself while simultaneously locating the blending tobacco entirely interiorly of th bunch charge.

17. The combination with mechanism for forwarding a plurality of substantially horizontal streams of difierent types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically sepaalong one side of the column and another type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along the other side of the column, means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide a bunch charge containing measured amounts of each of said tobaccos, and means closely adjacent the separating means for coiling the bunch charge upon itself while simultaneously locating the blending tobacco entirely interiorly of the bunch charge.

18. The combination with mechanism for forwarding a plurality of substantially horizontal streams of different types of tobacco, said mechanism including parallel and mechanically separated channels having at least one common wall therebetween, said channels having movable bottom portions and contiguous sides above the bottom portions, of means for severing lengths of tobacco from the leading ends of said streams and assembling them to form a composite column having one type of tobacco extending from top end to bottom end along one side of the column and another type of tobacco extendin from top end to bottom end along the other side of the column, and means for separating bunch charges from one of said ends of said column to provide a bunch charge containing measured amounts of each of said tobaccos.

PONTUS PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,334 Galdeck Apr. 20, 1937 319,976 Kitzmiller Oct. 30, 1888 442,278 Williams Dec. 9, 1890 486,919 Winget Nov. 29, 1892 530,554 Schmidt Dec. 11, 1894 649,537 Du Bois May 15, 1900 694,625 Gardner Mar. 4, 1902 1,152,022 Heyman Aug. 31, 1915 1,682,542 Schussler Aug. 28, 1928 1,692,536 Bargeboer Nov. 20, 1928 1,721,557 Hawkins July 23, 1929 1,740,571 Bronander Dec. 24, 1929 1,799,128 Schussler Mar. 31, 1931 2,192,518 Essmann Mar, 5, 1940 2,292,420 Wheeler Aug. 11, 1942 2,329,169 Wheeler Sept. 7, 1943 2,329,183 Burns Sept. 14, 1943 2,378,953 Rundell June 26, 1945 

